lesson 38.1

lesson 38.2

lesson 38.3

lesson 38.4

CHAPTER 38: People and the Environment

38.1 EARTH'S RESOURCES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The EPA was founded in 1970 to protect human health and the environment. Their website is filled with resources about air, land, and water pollution: information about environmental legislation, what the EPA is doing today, and basic information on environmental issues. These resources include:

• Concerned Citizens: What can you do to prevent pollution and conserve non-renewable resources? The EPA provides information on protecting your environment--be it your home, your community, or the Earth.
• Students and Teachers: Teaching aids and environmental facts on hazardous waste, pollution, and other environmental issues.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network

This is the website of the U.S. Department of Energy program designed to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. Some pages of interest include:

• Learning About Renewable Energy
• Solar Now Project
• Ask an Energy Expert
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• Energy Efficiency Technologies

Environment Australia

Learn more about global climate change, pollution, and ozone depletion from Australia's environment department.

Living On Earth

This weekly radio show explores a broad range of ecological issues. Browse the archives to learn about what is in the environmental news this month or to get ideas for report topics.

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38.2 LAND IN THE BIOSPHERE

Superfund

Superfund is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency that investigates and cleans up the worst hazardous waste sites throughout the United States. Find out what this program does and what it has accomplished at this website.

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38.3 WATER IN THE BIOSPHERE

EPA's Surf Your Watershed

What communities share your watershed? How much of it is covered by forest and how much of it has a high erosion potential? How many gallons per day does your watershed serve? You can locate your community's watershed and find out physical information, local environmental problems, and EPA projects for your area with this resource.

Ocean Planet

This exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution is currently touring the United States, but you can see it any time on the web. Search or browse the online version to see examples of ocean diversity, profiles of conservationists, and other photos and facts about marine biology and oceanography. Of particular interest for this chapter are:

• Oceans in Peril: This section describes pollution, introduction of non-native species, habitat destruction, fishing issues, and global environmental changes.
• Heroes: Here are some scientists, companies, and ordinary individuals that have made a difference in public education and lobbying for ocean protection.

Coastal Ocean Modeling at the USGS Woods Hole Field Center

Movies of computer-simulated ocean circulation on the Atlantic Coast are featured here. Of particular interest is a comparison of the sewage effluent concentration from the existing and future Boston Harbor sewage outfalls.

Planet Diary: Oil Spill Links

Selected resources on oil spills and their effect on ecology from Planet Diary, an educational resource for earth science and the environment.

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38.4 AIR IN THE BIOSPHERE

South Coast Air Quality Management District

How much ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter is in Los Angeles' air right now? Southern California has the dirtiest air in the U.S., so this smog control agency has created this web page on air pollution, which includes an online monitor of the air quality in southern California districts.

Planet Diary: Atmosphere Links

Excellent links on air pollution, acid rain, climate change, and ozone depletion from The Why Files, the EPA, and NASA. Planet Diary is an educational resource for earth science and the environment.

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38.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS STORIES